Who's On First?

Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative’s process of restoring service after a power outage is more complex than some realize. Like many other utilities, MLEC follows a calculated plan that prioritizes a collective group over individual cases. This plan of action restores power to the greatest number of members at one time, in a shorter timeframe.

As a result, the first reporter does not always claim the spotlight of getting their power restored first. Allowances are sometimes made, but here’s an example of how outages are addressed.

1. The main distribution line from the substation must be fixed before anyone can have power. This is our first step because it goes directly to the main power source and repairs damage there first. If a problem is detected and corrected there, power can be restored to thousands of people at one time.
2. Correcting problems as we go and working out from the substation, crews fix the lines that bring power to the greatest number of people in a community.
3. After larger groups of members have had power restored, crews fix the service lines to individual homes.